WEST LOTHIAN TABLE TENNIS CLUB

VETERANS SEASON 2008/9

Over the past few years the club has attracted a large number of “more mature” – in terms of age at least – members and they play regularly in our own league and some also play in the Edinburgh & Lothians and Stirlingshire Leagues. Of this number, the more competitive of them also take part in the National Veterans competitions and are now also making their marks in this arena.

Sunday 29^th March was the most important date on the calendar for the Scottish Veterans Table Tennis Association as the annual National Championships were played then at Bathgate. Three local players entered and they all did West Lothian proud. These three were Barry Hills, John McCulloch and Drew McLaren. A fourth, Davie Dall, also entered but pulled out on the day feeling unwell.

Most entrants find these events enjoyable and an opportunity to meet old friends and foes alike but the biggest part of the enjoyment for them is the mix of sheer competitiveness and sportsmanship not only shown, but demanded. There are separate competitions for the over 40s, over 50s, over 60s and over 70s. Running alongside these separate age group events are an open singles, open doubles and open mixed doubles. It was in the age related events where West Lothian players took the eye.

In the Over 60s Barry was seeded number two because of the excellent form shown all season whereas John, managing his first tournament of the season was unseeded. The tournament started in two round robin groups with Barry convincingly making his way to the final undefeated. John, on the other hand, found himself facing both the number one seed and number three seed. He lost to the number one but beat the number three for all three to finish with one loss each. In the countback all three had equal sets records but when points were compared John found himself fighting it out for third spot.

In the final, Barry found himself against Ayrshire’s George Johnston who had beaten him on every previous occasion. Unfortunately, Barry lost the first two ends and needed the next three to win. In a complete change of tactics Barry transformed his approach to lead most of the way but in a most uncharacteristic loss of concentration lost vital points at the death to take the runner up spot. Nevertheless, an excellent performance from Barry and his tactics in the final set should provide the stimulus for a future reversal in fortune against Johnston.

In the play off for third place John had a comfortable straight sets victory against Ian McLagan from Dundee. In the final analysis West Lothian can now boast two of the best three players in Scotland over the age of 60.In the top age group West Lothian can also count on Drew McLaren and Davie Dall to represent it with some distinction. Both are ranked in the top half dozen and on their day can compete with the best.

In the Open event most of the older age groupings find themselves as first round losers but, as with common practice, there is a Consolation event to ensure that all players have a full day’s competition. Here John McCulloch managed to reach the final, beating Barry Hills and Drew Mclaren on the way, where he eventually lost in the deciding fifth set to Glasgow’s Sinclair Houston who had a big age advantage.

Earlier in the season Steve McKay and Jon Swift also competed. Full details of the vets scene can be found at www.tabletennisscotsvets.ik.com

Further success came to the West Lothian contingent when Barry Hills was selected to represent Scotland in the Over 60 age group just as Drew McLaren was selected to represent Scotland in the Over 70 age group at the forthcoming Six Nations Championships due to be held in the Isle of Man during September.